The Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) was founded on January 1st, 1992. It is part of the so-called “Blue List Institutes,” the institutional budget of which is contributed in equal parts by the federal government and the government of the Land Saxony-Anhalt, in which the institute is located. The IWH is a member of the Leibniz Association.
The legal status of the IWH is that of a registered association. Following its statutes, the institute pursues directly and exclusively aims related to the public interest, especially research interest. Within this framework, the IWH carries out both institutionally financed tasks and research for third parties.
The work of the IWH is accompanied and evaluated by a scientific Advisory Board.
The institute's research profile is focused on two research segments. The first one is concerned with Growth and Economic Integration. Macroeconomic forecasts and policy analyses, the analysis of financial markets and real economic activity as well as research on economic processes from a regional and a sectoral view are of interest in this segment. Special attention is given to economic integration and its fiscal and financial stability in Europe as well as to convergence in economic processes, including research on labour markets.
The second research segment concentrates on the analysis of Transition Processes, i. e. on institutional reorganisation and economic assimilation processes of the former transition countries. Main emphasis is laid on emerging innovation systems, experiences from economic transformation processes, and strategies for urban economic development, above all for post-socialist cities.
Research results contribute to the ongoing coverage of the economic developments in Germany. Therefore, the institute also conducts surveys and edits statistical data for specific research requirements.
The IWH takes part in the Joint Economic Forecasts as well as the European Forecasting Network. Furthermore, the institute coordinates a European network for the transfer of technology through direct investment. Concerning formal research methods, the IWH particularly pursues the further development of microeconometric and time series analyses.
The IWH cooperates with many foreign research institutes, universities and public institutions in Europe and Canada, especially within the framework of international cooperation projects. A close cooperation with the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg has been in existence for many years.
